Bicycle.



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BICYCLE.

(Application filed Apr. 1, 1897.

3 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

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Patented 1an. 30, |900. J. W. PAYNE.

BICYCLE.

Apulia-anon filed Apr. 1, 1897.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2V "(ND Model.)

70,707? Wil-711g] le 0. o mu... nu., 3 n. a I. d Dv .I n e .I a DI L N YA vDl W J. .u cu 5 2 4 6 nw N BICYCLE.

Amuhcntion filed Apr. 1. 1897.)

IMIS

(No Model.)

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UNTTED STATES PATENT ENCE.

JOIIN WILLIAM PAYNE, OF ALEXANDRIA BAY, NEW YORK.

BICYCLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 6425560, dated January30, 190.

Application tiled April l, 1897.

junctive parts of safety-bicycles and tandems for juveniles, ladies, andgentlemen. A vital feature of the improvement is to enable wood to besuccessfully used in the construction of the frame and to obviatejoints, which are the chief source of trouble heretofore experienced inthe employment of wood in the formation of frames for this class ofmachines. In accordance with this invention a rod or bar of wood ofproper length is bent intermediate of its ends into the required form byany of the known processes, and the extremities of the blank are securedto the branches of a plate forming a bearing for the axle ofthe rear ordrive wheel. This rod or bar is split and spread at proper points toafford clearance for the drive-wheel, the seat-post, and thesteering-head and is strengthened and reinforced at such points as arespread and separated by suitable couplings, which in their particularconstruction and relation constitute an important factor of theinvention.

For a full understanding of the merits and advantages of the inventionreference is to be had to the accompanying drawings and the followingdescription.

The improvement is susceptible ofvarious changes in the form,proportion, and the minor details of construction without departing fromthe principle or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and to afull disclosure of the invention an adaptation thereof is shown in theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of a frame forsafety-bicycles especially designed for ladies and misses. Fig. 2 is aview similar to Fig. 1, showing a frame constructed in accordance withthis invention particularly designed for men and boys. Fig. 3 is a sideelevation of a combination-frame for ladies and gentlemen. Fig. 4 is adetail view of the rear fork, the upper portion being broken away andthe joint formed between the fork Serial No. 630389. (No model.)

members and the top reach. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the wedge secured inthe angle formed between the fork members. Fig. 6 is a front view of theseat-post tube. Fig. 7 is a detail view in perspective of the clamp-ringfor securing the seat-post within its tube at an adjusted position. Fig.8 is a detail View in longitudinal section, showing the parts assembledof that portion of the frame located at the juncture of the top reach,rear fork, andbrace. Fig. 9 is a side view of the coupling forconnectingthe upper end of the brace with the frame at the juncture of the topreach and rear fork. Fig. l0 is aview in elevation of the forked plateto which the ends of the rod or bar constituting the frame are coupled.Fig. v11 is a detail view of the lower portion of the brace, showing themeans for hanger. Fig. 12 is a side View of the parts illustrated inFig. 1l. Fig. 13 shows the means for reinforcing the brace at the originof the cleft. in section, showing the means for connecting a ladys or amisss seat-post to the upright portion of the drop-frame. Fig. 15 is adetail view showing the reinforcing means for strengthening the framewhere itis spread for the passage therethrough of the steeringhead. Fig.16 is a plan view of the wedge or block secured between the separatedparts of the frame. Fig. 17 is a detail view of the upper portion of thesteering-head', showing the means for connecting it withthe frame. 18 isa group of the connections `between the frame and upper portion of thesteering-head. Corresponding and like parts are referred to in thefollowing description and indicated in the several views of theaccompanying drawings by the same reference characters.

In every instance the frame is constructed of a single strip or blank ofwood having its end portions brought together and having theintermediate portion bent into the required shape, according to thestyle of the machine and pattern of frame. The extremities of the woodenstrip are secured to the forked members of a plate l, which is locatedat the lower rear end of the frame and forms a support for the axle ofthe rear or drive wheel. As shown in Fig. 4, the end portions of theblank or Fig. 14 is a detail view, partlyrv Fig.4

wooden strip are split and spread to afford connecting its fork memberswith the crank- IOO IIi

clearance for the rear Wheel, and the fork members 2 are fitted againstthe branching members of the plate 1 and are secured in place by a cuffor sleeve 3, fitted thereon and embracing the ltwo. A shoulder 4 of eachplate engages with the extremity of a fork and limits the upward orforward movement of the plate, as clearly indicated in Fig. 4. In orderto prevent slipping, a series of points 5 project from a side of theplates and enter the forks 2, and in order to retain the sleeves 3against accidental displacement interlocking teeth or serrations 6 areformed between'the meeting faces of the plate 1 and the parts 3. Theserrations or teeth G incline toward the extremities of the forks 2, soas to admit of the sleeves 3 being forced to place and prevented frombackward movement by the interlocking of the teeth, the latter ridingover each other when forcing the sleeves home and interlocking toprevent the backward movement of the sleeves, even though the parts 2should shrink and cause a slight loosening. The sleeves are cut away ontheir inner sides and front and rear edges, forming, in effect,`

bands, and the toothed or roughened portions of these bands areinclined, and the corresponding toothed portions of the plate 1 arecorrespondingly inclined, whereby a wedging action is had to draw theparts 1 and 2 together when forcing the sleeves or cuffs home, as willbe readily understood. The uprights or braces 7 and S have their lowerportions spread similar to the rear fork and connected with thecrank-hanger 9 in precisely the same manner as the fork members 2, likereference characters denoting corresponding parts.

The crankhanger 9, in addition to the branching or convergi ngextensions, is formed with a bearingsleeve 10 and split collars 11, thelatter being disposed at right angles to the bearing-sleeve and inahigher plane, so as to admit of the passage therethrough of the rod orstrip comprising the machine-frame. These split collars 11 have theirend portions made tapering to receive rings 12, which are externallythreaded to receive internal1ythreaded rings 13, by means of which theseparated portions of the collars 11 are drawn together and caused togrip the frame-bar. The rings 12 are notched to admit of theircompression when turning up the rings 13 thereon. It is not absolutelynecessary that the rings 12 be provided, as the tapering eX- tremitiesof the split collars may be externally threaded to receive the rings 13,thereby attaining the same end. At the inner end of the cleft'is locateda fastening similar to that applied to the extremities of the splitcollars 11 and consisting ot correspondingly-threaded rings 12 and 13.The upper end of thebrace 7 has a bore, in which is fitted the lower endof the seat-post tube 14, which is externally threaded and screwed intothe said bore and is provided with a ring 15 to obtain a bearing uponthe end of the brace 7, thereby securing the tube in place againstlongitudinal displacement. The upper end of the tube 14 is threaded andsplit and receives a ring 16 and a clamp-nut 17, the latter drawing theseparated portions of the tube together and clamping the seat-post 18 inan adjusted position.

The rear portion of the top reach 19 and the upper portion of the rearfork 20 are split and curved, and the separated portions receive betweenthem a wedge-shaped block 21,which curves longitudinally, correspondingwith the curvature of the parts 19 and 2O opposite the brace 7. Plates22 and 23 of wedge form are applied tothe top and bottom sides of theframe-bars opposite the block 21 and are secured together by bolts2l,which pass through corresponding openings in the plates and block.Ferrnles 25 are forced over the extremities of the plates 22 and 23 andsecure them to the frame. The upper portion of the seatpost tube 14passes through registering openings in the plates 22 and 23 and theblock 21, and the rings 15 and 16, bearing against the outer sides ofthe plates, materially assist in holding them and the block in place. Acoupling 26 is secured against the concave side of the plate 23 by thebolts 24, and its lower portion is externally threaded and split andreceives a clamp nut or ring 27, by means of which the separatedportions are drawn together and caused to grip the upper end of thebrace 7.

The steering-head 28, to which the front fork is attached, is expandedat its upper end and shaped to provide a cone 29, and a ring 30 has aninner fiange providinga race to receive ball-bearin gs 31, which relievethe friction between the steering-head and the coupling connecting itwith the frame. A T- coupling 32, having its upper portion removed andinternally roughened, is fitted to the front portion ot' the frame or atanyother desirable point and has its intermediate portion split andexternally threaded to receive the ring 30, by means of which theseparated parts are drawn together, so as to clamp the coupling to theframe-bar, the internallyroughened side preventing slipping when theparts are in place. This coupling 32 is applied to the upper frame-bar.The lower frame-bar is split and spread to admit of the passagetherethrough of the steering-head 28, and a block 33 isfitted betweenthe parts of the bar so separated, and plates 34 are secured to the topand bottom sides of the frame-bar opposite the block 33 and are retainedin place by bolts 35 and fastenings 36, identical in construction withthe fastening comprising the parts 12 and 13. The plates 34 haveoffstanding collars to provide an eX* tended bearing for thesteering-head 2S.

The strip, rod, or bar from which the frame is to be constructed isbent, forming the rear fork 20, "the top reach 19, the lower reach 37,and the bottom run 38, whereby a frame of the ordinary diamond shape isprovided, and the extremities of the blank or strip are se IIO 'cured tothe plate l in the manner set forth, thereby obviating any intermediatejoints. The frame is strengthened and stayed by the upright or brace 7in the usual manner, said brace being held in place by the means hereinset forth.

The frame just described is especially designed for boys and men, andfor misses and ladies the top reach is formed with a drop, as shown mostclearly in Fig. 1 and at the front end of Fig. 3, the drop portionconsisting of an upright 39 and a lower bar 40 about parallel with thelower reach 37. A Y-coupling 41 is located at the bend or juncture ofthe upright 39 and the reach 40 and receives the upper end of the brace8. In all other respects the frame illustrated in Fig. lis constructedsubstantially in the same manner as the frame shown in Fig. 2. The ladysseat-post 42 is notched in its front side, as shown at 43, and operatesthrough a sleeve 44, secured to the upright 39 by clips 45 and is heldin an adj usted position by a cam-lever 46, pivoted to the sleeve 44 andoperating through an opening therein, as most clearly indicated in Fig.14.

The handle-bar 47 is held in place by a clamp 48, which is securedv to,the steeringhead by bolts or fastenings 49 in the usual manner. Theupper portion of the clamp 48 is removable, as shown at 50, and itsinner end has a lug or extension 5l to engage under a lip 52, and itsfront end is apertured to receive a machine screw or bolt 53, by meansof which the parts of the clamp are brought together to secure thehandle-bar 47 in an adj usted position.

For a combination tandem the f rames illus-. trated in Figs. l and 2 arecombined, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the top reach and bottom runs beingextended to provide a frame of required length. A supplementalsteeringhead 54 is provided intermediate of the frame for the rear riderand is mounted in the coupling 32 in the manner set forth and in abearing-sleeve 55, formed with the Y-coupling 4l, and a rod 56 connectsalateral extension of the steering-head 54 with a corresponding extensionof the steering-head 2S, thereby causing the front and rear handle-barsto move in unison and in the same direction. The combination tandemillustrated in Fig. 3 is for a lady and gentleman, and when the machineis designed for men only the drop-frame will be dispensed with and thetop reach extended and joined with the bar 37, as indicated in Fig. 2.The machine will be supplied with driving mechanism andsupporting-wheels in the ordinary manner.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new isl. Abicycle-frame constructed of a single looped strip of wood, having itsend portions brought together at the lowerend of the frame and splitlongitudinally to form corresponding right and left terminal elements,constituting a rear fork and rear braces, and having its intermediatelooped portion arranged to form a steering-head support, with the lowerside of the loop split longitudinally, and the portions bordering uponthe split spread laterally to form separated intermediate elements, incombination with a block secured in the split between said intermediateelements, and provided with a steering-head seat, means for securingsaid block in place,

and means, forming axle-seats, for securingsaid terminal elements inoperative relation, substantially as specified.

2. Theherein-described bicycle-frame-,consisting of a single loopedlength or strip of wood doubled upon itself to form ahead-support andhaving the extremities of its upper and lower sides brought together atthe lower rear end of the frame, and longitudinallysplitto formcorresponding right and left terminal elements constituting a rear forkand braces, rear-wheel-axle supports attached to said terminal elementsand connecting the same in pairs to maintain them in operative relation,a tubular brace transversely spanning the loop between the upper andlower sides thereof, and split longitudinally at its lower end to forlnseparated elements,a crankhanger secured to the lower side of the loopand provided with 'means for engaging said brace elements, a blocksecured in the angle between the right and left terminal elements of theupper side of the loop and provided with an opening through which theupper end of said brace extends, whereby the brace forms a seat-posttube, and a head mounted upon the looped strip adjacent to its frontend, and between the sides of the loop, the lower side being splitlongitudinally to form intermediate elements which are spread or bowedlaterally, and a block being secured.

block being fitted in each of the splits through.

which one of said tubes extends and having an opening in which the tubeis fitted, substantially as specified.

4. In a bicycle, a bent-wood frame-bar split longitudinally to formelements which are separated or spread laterally, an intersectingtransverse frame member, a tapered block engaged with said intersectingframe member, and fitting snugly in the space between the separatedelements, a plate parallel with and covering the block and exceeding thesame in area, to overlap and engage theseparated elements of theframe-bar, and means IOO IIO

encircling the bar at the extremities of the block and engaging the endsof the plate to hold said parts in fixed relations, substantially asspecified.

5. In abicycle orlike machine, a bent-wood frame-bar having a splitportion comprising laterallyspread elements, an intersecting transverseframe member, a tapered block engaged with the intersecting framemember, and fitted between said separated elements, upper and lowerplates arranged parallel with and above and below theblock, andexceeding the block in area to overlap and engage the separated elementsof said frame-bar at the ends and sides of the block, and clampringsencircling the frame-bar at the ends of the block and engaging theextremities of the plates for securing said parts together,substantially as specified.

6. In a bicycle, a bent-Wood frame, having a single looped strip, splitlongitudinally at its ends and spread laterally to form rear braces anda rear fork, with the elements of the former arranged respectively incommon vertical planes with those of the latter and secured together,clamping-rings encircling the upper and lower sides of the looped stripat the points of divergence of said elements, a brace extendingtransversely of the looped strip and terminally arranged adjacent to thepoints of divergence of said elements, and means consisting respectivelyof a coupling and a crank-hanger engaged with the strip, at said pointsof divergence of its terminal elements, to secure the saine againstfurther splitting, and engaged with the extremities of said brace,substantially as speciiiedf 7. In a bicycle or like machine, a framebarhaving a split portion comprising laterally-spread elements, a blocktted between said spread elements and constructed for engagement with anintersecting frame member, and fastening devices engaging the framebarto prevent further spreading of the elements and secure said block inplace therebetween, substantially as specified.

8. In a bicycle or like machine, a framebar having a split portionforming laterallyspread elements, a block fitted between said elementsand constructed for engagement with an intersecting frame member,.plates arranged at opposite sides of said block and overlapping andengaging the spread elements of the frame-bar, fastening devicesconnecting the plate and block intermediate of their ends, and otherfastening devices encircling the frame-bar adjacent to and engaging theextremities of said plates, substantially as specied.

9. In a bicycle or like machine, the combination with a woodenframe-bar, of a tapered plate having a shoulder to receive the endthrust of the bar, and integral projections on the same side to indentthe surface of the bar, and a cuff or sleeve encircling andlongitudinally movable independently of the plate and bar, for securingthe same together, with the said projections in positive engagement withthe frame-bar, said plate and cuit or sleeve having interlockingserrated faces to prevent accidental displacement of the latter,substantially as specified.

l0. In abicycle or like machine, the combination of a tapered plateprovided with a shoulder and having its outer inclined face transverselytoothed, a wooden frame-bar placed against said plate and shoulder, anda sleeve or cu encircling the plate and framebar and having atransversely-toothed portion corresponding with the toothed portion ofthe plate and adapted to interlock therewith, substantially in themanner and for the purpose set forth.

11. In a bicycle or like machine, the combination of a plate having anouter inclined face which is toothed or roughened at a plurality ofpoints in different planes, a Wooden frame-bar in contact with saidplate at the opposite side from its inclined face, and a sleeve or cuffhaving'spaced portions of different diameters encircling the plate andframe-bar respectively in the planes of said toothed or roughenedportions of the plate, and having roughened or toothed surfaces tointerlock therewith, and secure the cuff or sleeve from longitudinaldisplacement, substantially as specified.

12. In a bicycle or like machine, the combination with the frame, of abrace split longitudinally at its lower end to form separated divergentelements, a crank-hanger comprising a bearing-sleeve,upwardly-convergent extensions, arranged in contact With the inner sidesof the elements of the brace, a collar, disposed between the saidextensions, in a higher plane than the bearing-sleeve and at rightangles thereto and adapted to have the lower frame-bar passedtherethrough, and means for securing said vertical extensions to theelements of the brace, substantially as specified.

13. The herein-described crank-hanger for a bicycle or like machine, thesame having an axially-transverse bearing-sleeve, upwardlyconvergentextensions integral with the bearing-sleeve and in contact With theinner sides of the brace-bar elements, means for securing the saidextensions to the said brace-bar elements, a split collar arranged in aplane above, said bearing-sleeve, and between said vertical extensionsof the bearing-sleeve to receive a lower frame-bar, oneelement of saidcollar being integral with the bearing-sleeve, and clamp-rings havingserrated inner faces for engaging serrated portions of the exteriorsurface of said extensions, to maintain the movable member thereof inoperative relation With the fixed member, and in engagement with thelower frame-bar, substantially as specified.

14. In a bicycle or like machine, the combination With the framecomprising one-piece upper and lower frame-bars, of a steeringheadconnecting the upper and the lower IIO frame-bars a short distance inthe rear of the front end of the frame and passing centrally through thelower frame-bar which is split and spread to receive it, and ahandle-barsecured to the steering-head at a point between the said upperand lower frame-bars, substantially as set forth.

15. In a bicycle or like machine, a frame comprising one-piece upper andlower bars, a steering-head passing centrally through the lowerframe-bar which is split and spread to receive it, a coupling connectingthe upper end of the steering-head with the upper framebar, and ahandle-bar having connection with the steering-head at a pointintermediate of the upper and lower frame-bars, substantially as setforth.

16. In a bicycle or like machine, the combination of a steering-headhaving a cone at its upper end, a T-coupling applied to an upperframe-bar and having oneof its branches or portions split, a ringiitting the split portions thereof for connecting the steering-head withthe coupling and causing the latter to grip the frame-bar, andconstructed to provide a race, and ball-bearings operating in the raceformed between the cone and the cup of the clamp-ring, substantially asset forth.

17. In a bicycle or like machine, the combination with the frame, acoupling secured to the upper side of the frame, and a brace having itsupper end secured within the said coupling, of a seat-post tube passingthrough an opening in the frame and entering a threaded bore formed inthe upper end of the brace and secured therein and externally threaded,clamp rings mounted upon the threaded portion of the seat-post tubeabove and below the frame, the lower ring engaging with and forming anabutment for the upper end of the brace and the upper ring serving tolock theseat-post tube in place, a seat-post, and means for securing theseatpost in its tube in an adjusted position, substantially asspecified.

18. In a bicycle or like machine, a frame composed of a single strip orbar bent to 'provide an upright portion, upwardly and forwardly inclinedreach-bars, and a bottom run, a separately-formed brace about in linewith the upright portion of the frame, a substantially Y-shaped couplinglocated at the juncture of the upright and upper reach-bar portions ofthe frame and receiving the upper end of the brace, and a crank-hangerlocated at the juncture of the bottom run and reachbar and receiving thelower end of the brace, substantially as setv forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN WILLIAM PAYNE.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM DALToN I-IEMnNwAY, JOHN D. COLE.

